Final answer:
The best solution to separate web-facing traffic from internal network traffic is to use a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). VLANs and firewalls have their uses in network security, but they do not provide the same level of isolation as a DMZ. WAFs, on the other hand, are designed to protect web applications from specific threats and are not primarily used for separating network traffic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best solution to separate web-facing traffic from internal network traffic is to use a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). A DMZ is a network segment that acts as a buffer between the internal network and the internet, allowing external access to services while restricting direct access to internal resources. It provides an additional layer of security by isolating web-facing traffic from the internal network.
While VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) can also be used to segregate network traffic, they are not as secure as a DMZ. VLANs separate traffic at the network layer, but they still allow communication between devices within the same VLAN. On the other hand, a DMZ separates the web-facing servers from the internal network, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
A firewall is an essential component of network security but alone it cannot effectively separate web-facing traffic from internal network traffic. It can filter and control traffic, but it cannot physically isolate the traffic like a DMZ does. A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a security system that specifically protects web applications from common cyber threats like SQL injection and cross-site scripting attacks. While it is important for securing web applications, it is not primarily designed for separating network traffic.